2018 Detroit Auto Show: Second-Gen Audi A7 Hits American Shores

The first-generation Audi A7 was a real showstopper. It looked unlike anything else on the road and became an instant hit with both customers and …

The first-generation Audi A7 was a real showstopper. It looked unlike anything else on the road and became an instant hit with both customers and enthusiasts alike. Even today, all these years later, it still looks great and still turns heads. It wasn’t quite as pretty as the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe but it was close. So we were a bit skeptical that the new A7 would be able to recapture the good looks of the first-gen. Turns out we were wrong, though, as the new Audi A7 looks great and it just touched down on American soil at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show.

Seen here in white, the new Audi A7 looks fantastic. It’s low and sleek and mean looking, with aggressive lines and sharp creases. In white, you can really see all of the body lines and shadows from its creases, which really looks great. It’s such a unique looking car, as it’s equal parts aggressive, sophisticated and practical. And while some pundits might complain that the new A7 is a bit too evolutionary, and not being a dramatic departure from its predecessor, it makes the current-gen car look positively ancient. It’s still not quite as pretty as the 6er GC but it does make us wish that BMW would make another. Hopefully an 8 Series Gran Coupe gives us the stunner we’re missing.

At the rear, that LED light bar looks superb and the way it pulses and surges makes it look like something from the future. Not only is it great looking but it’s also quite functional, as it will be incredibly easy to read and see for cars behind it. And the way the active rear spoiler deploys directly above that aforementioned light bar looks the business.

Inside, the Audi A7 is very similar to the Audi A8. So it, too, features the new touchscreen-based MMI system. So there’s one touchscreen for the navigation system and entertainment, with the other handling the HVAC controls. While we’d still prefer some sort of physical controls, the touchscreen system works well. We’ll need some more time with it to fully judge how well it works but, for now at least, it has our stamp of approval.

The standard engine in America will be the same 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 found in the Audi S4 and S5, which will make around 350 hp. If you want to get a bit saucier, you can get the Audi S7, which will likely come with a variant of the same 2.9 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that powers the Audi RS5 Coupe, which will make around 450 hp. The upcoming RS7 will likely come with a variant of the 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 found in the Porsche Panamera, which should develop around 550 hp.

The Audi A7 is a great looking car with a tech-filled cabin and promising performance. We can’t wait to get our paws on it and give it a proper test drive.